Deputy fire chief leaves for Bay Area

STOCKTON - Stockton Deputy Fire Chief Lance Calkins has been hired to lead a smaller fire department in the Bay Area.

The Record

STOCKTON - Stockton Deputy Fire Chief Lance Calkins has been hired to lead a smaller fire department in the Bay Area.

Calkins, 48, will begin his duties as fire chief of Albany, a city of less than 19,000 near Berkeley, on Aug. 2.

Born in Stockton and raised in Morada, Calkins is a Tokay High graduate and a 24-year veteran of the Stockton Fire Department who was hired in February 1989. Calkins could retire with full benefits in five years, but he doesn't see that happening.

"I love the fire service. Unless there's a health condition or something that I don't foresee, I can't imagine retiring from this," he said.

Calkins said he's excited to lead a city fire department, even as he will miss the team of men and women he has worked with and admired over the past 24 years. He said Albany officials welcomed him warmly and impressed him throughout the interview process.

"It was like I was part of the team before I even started working there," he said.

Calkins said Albany has a smaller depart-ment and fewer administrative aides than Stockton, and the amount of work will be smaller as well.